Biological communities at the Florida Escarpment resemble hydrothermal vent taxa

Journal Article · Fri Nov 23 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.226.4677.965· OSTI ID:6002664

Paull, C K; Hecker, B; Commeau, R; Freeman-Lynde, R P; Neumann, C; Corso, W P; Golubic, S; Hook, J E; Sikes, E; Curray, J

Dense biological communities of large epifaunal taxa similar to those found along ridge crest vents at the East Pacific Rise were discovered in the abyssal Gulf of Mexico. These assemblages occur on a passive continental margin at the base of the Florida Escarpment, the interface between the relatively impermeable hemipelagic clays of the distal Mississippi Fan and the jointed Cretaceous limestone of Florida Platform. The fauna apparently is nourished by sulfide rich hypersaline waters seeping out at near ambient temperatures onto the sea floor. 16 references, 3 figures.

• Research Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA
• OSTI ID: 6002664
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 226; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
DISPERSIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
GULF OF MEXICO
LEACHATES
MIXTURES
NORTH AMERICA
SEAS
SOLUTIONS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER SPRINGS